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It’s enough to make your skin crawl.
The FDA is warning consumers about the nationwide recall of a popular eczema cream that could be contaminated with a deadly bacterium.
MG217 Multi-symptom Treatment Cream & Skin Protectant Eczema Cream is being recalled by Wisconsin-based Pharmacal because it may be contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus, also known as staph.
Sold in H-E-B grocery stores and via Amazon, the product is the brand’s 6-ounce tube with product code 5106 and UPC 012277051067.
This particular cream is set to expire in November 2026.
The FDA classified it as a Class II recall, which means exposure could lead to temporary or medically reversible health issues.
It’s unclear how the cream might have become contaminated.
While about 1 in 3 people carry Staphylococcus aureus harmlessly in their nose or on their skin, millions can get a serious illness when the bacteria enter the body.
What is Staphylococcus aureus?
It’s a bacterium that can cause infections ranging from minor skin issues like pimples or boils to more severe problems, such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections or toxic shock syndrome.
The FDA’s recall notice warned that: “Use of the product could result in a range of infections from localized to severe or life-threatening adverse events.”
The agency notes that patients with weakened immune systems or compromised skin — such as those with wounds, burns or skin disorders — are at increased risk for serious infections.
These include skin and skin structure infections, infective endocarditis (infection of the heart valves), bone and joint infections, bloodstream infections and life-threatening conditions like sepsis and septic shock.
To date, Pharmacal has not received any reports of adverse events related to this product recall.
What should you do if you purchased the recalled cream?
Pharmacal is notifying distributors about the recall and arranging for the return of the recalled products.
The FDA is urging consumers to check labels, lot numbers and expiration dates to see if they may have purchased the recalled products. If you have, the agency recommends ceasing use and immediately discarding the product.
Consumers who have the recalled products can contact Pharmacal by phone at (800) 558-6614 or email aimho@pharmacalway.com Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT.
Roughly 10% of the US population — about 31.6 million people — live with some form of eczema, the most common chronic inflammatory skin condition in the country, according to the National Eczema Association.
MG217 Multi-symptom Treatment Cream & Skin Protectant Eczema Cream, which is listed as “hypoallergenic” and “safe for children and babies,” is described as a therapeutic body treatment and skin protectant that offers long‐lasting relief from eczema symptoms including itching, irritation, dryness, cracking, redness and roughness.
The FDA said that adverse reactions or quality problems stemming from the use of this product should be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program.
The cream is the latest in a list of suspect slatherings.
Last year, makeup company L’Oréal S.A. issued a recall on all lots of La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment due to concern that benzene, a known carcinogen, is in the product.
From creams to consumables, just last week, several varieties of snack mixes from the brands Fisher, Squirrel Brand, Southern Style Nuts and Target’s popular Good & Gather brand were voluntarily recalled due to fears of potential Salmonella contamination.
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